Assignments

Week #1 September 26- 28

Introduction: Political Theory and the Question of Political Legitimacy

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT, Chapter 1 (optional)

Jefferson, "The Declaration of Independence," (in Selections from American Political Thought)

"Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, Seneca Falls Convention," (in Selections)

Douglass, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" (in Selections)

Week #2 October 1-5

Patriotism and the Duty to Obey

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT, Chapter 2 (optional)

Plato, APOLOGY and CRITO

Week #3 October 8-12

Political Cynicism

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT, Chapter 3 (optional)

Rousseau, DISCOURSE ON THE ORIGIN OF INEQUALITY

Week #4 October 15-19

The Case for and Against Anarchism

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT, Chapter 4 (optional)

Goldman, "Anarchism: What It Really Stands For," (in Selections from American Political Thought)

Hobbes, LEVIATHAN, Chapters 13-21 (complete at least half of this by Friday)

Week #5 October 22-26

The Case Against Anarchism

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT?, Chapter 5 (optional)

Hobbes, LEVIATHAN, Chapters 13-21, 29-30

Week #6 October 29-November 2

Against Anarchism (cont'd), Review, and Exam

***MIDTERM EXAM ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2***

Week #7 November 5-9

Contract Theory, Qualified Consent, and the Right to Rebel

Read: Locke, SECOND TREATISE OF GOVERNMENT

Week #8 November 13-16 (University holiday on Monday, November 12)

The Right to Rebel (cont'd)

Read: Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet" (in Selections from American Political Thought)

Week #9 November 19-20 (University holidays on November 22 & 23, no lecture on Wednesday, November 21)

Critical Citizenship

See: "Ain't Scared of Your Jails" (scheduled for viewing in class on Monday, November 19)

(There is no reading assignment for this week, so that you may focus on the final draft of your paper, which is due on Tuesday, November 20, in your quiz section. Class will meet only on Monday and Tuesday this week. Enjoy the break!)

***PAPERS ARE DUE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20***

Week #10 November 26-30

Critical Citizenship (cont'd)

Read: Nathanson, SHOULD WE CONSENT, Chapter 6 (optional)

Read the following selections from Selections from American Political Thought:

Angelina Grimke, "Appeal to the Christian Women of the South"

Angelina Grimke, "Letters to Catherine Beecher"

Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience"

King, "Letter From Birmingham Jail"

Students for a Democratic Society, "The Port Huron Statement"

Week #11 December 3-7

Political Legitimacy in an Era of Fear

Read for Monday: "Fear," excerpt from Corey Robin, FEAR: THE HISTORY OF A POLITICAL IDEA, available only from library e-reserve

Wednesday: Final lecture and course evaluation

Friday: Final exam review

***FINAL EXAM ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 8:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m.***